AYP list shows improvement in state

An annual report shows most schools in Michigan are making adequate yearly progress in Math and English testing, and with graduation rates.

AUDIO:The Adequate Yearly Progress report is a requirement of the controversial No Child Left Behind Act. It ranks improvement in testing and graduation categories, but some insiders say the report may not be an accurate reflection of what's really going on in a school or district.

Martin Ackley is with the Michigan Department of Education. He says the report tells a story about Michigan's general improvement within the state and nation. He says schools that did not show the same improvement will need to adjust.

"I think each community has to look at what their own districts are doing," he says. "Some districts may not be achieving at the levels that are similar to the statewide results."

The data show Lansing's Eastern High School again failed to hit the AYP benchmark. Sexton and Everett High Schools both met it.

The department will release another list in a few weeks that cites the state's worst-performing schools. Those schools will be subject to education reforms approved last year.